We Love Weekends: Montgomery County Planner for Sept. 21 – Sept. 23

The sixth annual KIDfest family festival takes place Sept. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Center. The event focuses on creativity and innovation. Children and adults can explore over 90 interactive exhibits, participate in code jams, and hear kid talks from local innovators.

The AFI Silver Latin American Film Festival continues this weekend and includes films from Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal. In its 29th year, the festival showcases Latin-American cinema during National Hispanic Heritage Month. The schedule of films and special events may be found online at AFI Latin American Film Festival webpage.

Below are some other ideas for fun this weekend in Montgomery County:

Friday, Sept. 21

Karla Bonoff  One of the most quietly influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century, Bonoff has written songs for Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt. Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. at AMP by Strathmore, 11810 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda. ampbystrathmore.com. $25-$40.

South Pacific  Directed by Alan Muraoka, choreography by Darren Lee and music direction by Kristen Lee Rosenfeld. South Pacific is one of the most beloved of American musicals. Set on a remote Pacific island during World War II, South Pacific tells the love story between nurse Nellie Forbush and French expatriate Emile de Becque, a love threatened by war. Through Oct. 7 at Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney.  olneytheatre.org. $42-$84.

Small Mouth Sounds Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Ryan Rilette, Small Mouth Sounds tells the story of six strangers who seek enlightenment by attending a silent retreat in the woods. Now through Sept. 23 at various dates and times. Round House Theatre, 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda. roundhousetheatre.org. $50-$67.

Kindertransport Sandy Spring Theatre Group tells the story of Eva, a child refugee from Europe. Just before the outbreak of the Second World War, Britain took in over 10,000 refugee children from Europe.  The play runs through Sept. 23 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. artsonthegreen.com. $12-$20.

An Evening with Peabo Bryson  Grammy-award winning R&B and soul singer-songwriter is on tour promoting his new album ‘Stand for Love. Kathy Kosins is the opening act. Sept. 21 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Bethesda Jazz & Blues Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda. bbjlive.com. $59.50-$74.50.

Contra Dance Contra dance is a type of folk dance for all ages and a social dance.  You do not need to bring a partner. There is a beginner’s lesson from 7:30 pm – 8:15 pm which is included in the price of admission. If Glen Echo Park closes due to inclement weather the dance will be canceled. Sept. 21 from 7:30-11:30 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10. (Contra dance flyer)

Saturday, Sept. 22

Talbot Avenue Bridge Centennial The bridge is 100 years old and the community is hosting a celebration including storytelling, music, drumming, speakers, kids activities, community art project and refreshments. Sept. 22 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Talbot Avenue Bridge, endo fo Talbot Avenue, Lyttonsville, Silver Spring. talbotbridge100.org. Free.

Swing Dance American Swing dance is the family of dances that developed to the musical style that began with the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.  There is a beginner swing lesson from 8-9 p.m. Sept. 22 from 8 p.m. – midnight. in the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $20.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra  The BSO perform Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony led by conductor Marin Alsop. Pianist Garrick Ohlsson returns to play Rachmaninoff’s scintillating Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.  Sept. 22 at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.  strathmore.org. $35-$95.

Sunday, Sept. 23

Friendship Picnic The picnic brings together people of diverse cultures and faiths to make new friends and to discuss ways to build a stronger community. This free picnic includes traditional, Kosher, Halal and vegetarian lunch options. There will be a wide range of activities for children and adults including music, dancing, a moon bounce, face painting, carousel, train rides and more. Sept. 23 from noon to 4 p.m. at Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. Learn more, here. Free.

KIDfest The areas largest family festival celebrating creativity and innovation returns to Silver Spring. Children and adults can explore over 90 interactive exhibits, participate in code jams, and hear kid talks from local innovators. Sept. 23 from noon to 5 p.m. Silver Spring Civic Center, 719 Ellsworth Drive. kidfest.org. Free.

Leggett Legacy Forward The years of service of County Executive Ike Leggett and Catherine Leggett will be celebrated. Proceeds will fund The Catherine and Isiah “Ike” Leggett Scholarship. Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. strathmore.org. Free.

Wheaton Arts Parade and Festival The arts parade and festival return for the second year to celebrate the arts in Wheaton. The festival follows the parade and includes three stages of local performances, food, film and literary tent with live podcasts, storytellers and poets. Artists will offer interactive demonstrations including printmaking, bookbinding, mosaics, and green screen weather reporting. Children activities include face painting, balloon art and robot construction. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at and proceeds north on Georgia Avenue from Prichard Street to Price Avenue. The festival immediately follows the parade at Wheaton Veterans Urban Park on Fern Street. Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  wheatonartsparade.org. Free.

Contra & Square Dance Contra dance is a type of folk dance for all ages and a social dance in the most literal sense.  You do not need to bring a partner. Experienced and new dancers will find a warm and welcoming community. Most evenings feature a variety of traditional American contras and two waltzes, plus occasional squares, circle mixers, or other couple dances, all performed to energetic live music with skilled and enthusiastic callers from all over the country.  There is a beginner’s orientation session at 7 p.m. Sept. 23 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. in the Bumper Car Pavilion at Glen Echo Park. 7300 MacArthur Boulevard. glenechopark.org $10.

Watch the latest CultureSpot MC video, below, for more events happening this month:

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